On Saturday 21 September 2024 the Rivers of Carbon team hosted a Community Planting Day in Boorowa with Boorowa Community Landcare Group and Hilltops Council. Kids and grownups alike were enthralled by the Waterwatch demonstration led by Jed Pearson from Rivers of Carbon, while Paul Russel from Bird Life Australia shared lots of information about birds and the important ways in which we can all protect them. Using simple tools like, plastic spoons and ice cube trays the participants identified different water bugs and learnt about platypus and rakali.
After a planting demonstration with Amber Kelly from Landcare, volunteers planted trees and shrubs to improve habitat and biodiversity along the Boorowa River Walk. The planting site was expertly prepared by the Hilltops Council Ground Services Team led by Grant Grocott and Ted Hill. Wow, what a sleek outfit they are providing water on tap and mulch from the council truck. Thanks so much to the Hilltops Council staff including Bryce Weedon and Hugh Jackson helping organise this event. Shoutout to Amber for her expert local knowledge and can do attitude.
The planting day was a masterclass in community cooperation and as Bryce said so aptly “The best day to plant a tree was 20 years ago, and the second best day is today… I’m imagining coming back in 25 years’ time and seeing these plants growing.” What a lovely vision that is!
Thanks everyone for your magnificent contribution to special day.
This event was made possible with funding from the NSW Government through the Environmental Trust and in-kind support from Hilltops Council, Birdlife Australia and Boorowa Community Landcare Group.
What is Rivers of Carbon – Boorowa?
Rivers of Carbon – Boorowa is a project that builds on the work of the successful large-scale Rivers of Carbon Program, a proven model that focuses on connecting and linking ongoing and new riparian rehabilitation sites with remnant vegetation to provide many ecological and social benefits. The Boorowa River is also an important source of water for the district, providing water for agricultural enterprises, recreation, cultural connections and the town. In recent decades the river has been under threat from declining water quality caused by erosion, salinity and vegetation clearing. This project addresses some of these issues by working with farmers to fence water courses, plant native vegetation, establish off stream troughs and remediate erosion sites to improve water quality and biodiversity outcomes.
